MrBallen Podcast: Strange, Dark & Mysterious Stories MrBallen Podcast: Strange, Dark & Mysterious Stories

Fan Favorite - "The Watercooler"

Sep 18, 2026 · 37m

Summary

In 1986, Julie Williams died after drinking cyanide-laced water at her Arizona office, initially pointing suspicion toward her coworker’s stalker. Detective Mike Palmer investigated the poisoning, uncovering that the threat letters were actually a setup. The culprit was the coworker’s husband, Lewis, who poisoned the break room to kill his wife and frame the stalker for his own affair. Lewis was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison.

Topics discussed

Introduction and sponsor reads TD Cash Credit Card advertisement Julie's background and new life in Arizona Julie collapses at the office Officer Scoville arrives and gathers initial info The strange taste of the water Progressive and Zocdoc advertisements Detective Palmer identifies cyanide Investigating the weekend access and suspects Interviewing Diane and Lewis The backstory involving Roy Fitzpatrick Interrogating Roy Fitzpatrick Glow Gummies advertisement Julie's condition worsens and city panic Interviewing Verbray and waiting for evidence Finding the ID badge and Julie's death Reconstruction of the poisoning event The reveal: Lewis and Verbray's conspiracy Outro, credits, and final sponsor
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